Tour Information: (603) 772-2622
Thursday – Saturday: 10 am to 4 pm
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Come to the Exeter Parks & Rec’s very own Drive-In Theatre created just for the summer of 2020! This special showing of National Treasure will include a bag of museum goodies and a special preview of our Festival video made in partnership with Exeter TV. This promises to be a fun night of socially distanced fun for the whole family!
Tickets are limited and reservations must be made through Exeter Parks & Rec.
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Join us for this virtual presentation as part of our re-imagined American Independence Festival!
Presented by local author Renay Allen in partnership with Exeter TV.
Black Revolutionary War soldier Jude Hall has been profiled in books since the 1800’s, yet he is little known in his hometown.
Join local author and activist Renay Allen to learn about Jude and his family and their contributions to America. She also discusses Exeter, NH’s historic black enclave and a new proposal for a town park to honor it. Renay is writing a trilogy of historical-fiction mysteries that acknowledge and honor Black Exeter.
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Set during the American Independence Festival weekend, “Incident at Exeter Tavern” honors Jude, and “Incident at Ioka” honors his nephew, the abolitionist poet James Monroe Whitfield. (Available at RM-Allen.com, Water Street Bookstore, or Amazon/Kindle.)
REGISTERJoin us for this virtual presentation as part of our re-imagined American Independence Festival!
Seventeen seventy-six is considered the seminal year of our nation’s history, and the drafting, adoption, and signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia were pivotal events.
In faraway Charleston, South Carolina, however, circumstances were unfolding that would profoundly affect the course of our newly-declared sovereignty—a collision between inexperienced South Carolina provincial troops and the military might of the British empire.
In “1776: The Year of William Moultrie, the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, and the Declaration of Independence,” author Chip Bragg chronicles the rise of South Carolina’s iconic patriot, Brig. Gen. William Moultrie, his defense of a small palmetto-log fort in Charleston harbor on June 28, 1776, and the consequences of America’s first significant Revolutionary War victory.
About the presenter
Chip Bragg is a recently retired anesthesiologist from Thomasville, Georgia where he has lived and practiced medicine for the past 31 years. His lifelong passion for American history has resulted in the publication of four books. He is currently the chairman of the education committee of the Society of the Cincinnati. His most recent book, of which he is coauthor, is Patriots in Exile: Charleston Rebels in St. Augustine during the American Revolution. It is scheduled for release in July 2020.
June 25: 10 am – 11:30 am
Cost: $15
School may be out for summer, but it’s time to hit the hornbook! Learn what an 18th century classroom was like in this interactive online program. Schoolmaster Mike will share tools used by students during the 18th century, such as a hornbook and quill pen.
Following his presentation with an active question and answer period, participants will be led in a fun 18th century movement break and a quill writing exercise. Receive your very own 18th century packet with quill pen, dry ink packet, ink well, slate and chalk and one adult and child admission ticket (good through the 2021 season) in an American Independence Museum tote bag.
Colonial school kit may be shipped for an additional flat fee of $10 or picked up at our gift shop at no additional charge
* Have more than one student? Select any additional supplies needed to add to your tote when you purchase your tickets.
Tour times: 3pm, 3:30pm, 4pm, 4:30pm, 5pm, 5:30pm
$10 Non-members, $7 Non-member children ages 6-18
$7 Members, $3 Member children ages 6-18
Free, children under 6
Families with elementary school aged children are invited to join our 3:00 or 3:30 tour created with them in mind! Don your Halloween costume as we become detectives using the cemetery to uncover stories of the past. At the end of the tour you will receive a colonial treat!
The American Independence Museum invites you to Winter Street Cemetery to celebrate the waning light and autumn season on Saturday, October 24. Your colonial tour guide will meet you at the Winter Street Cemetery, where you will see the final resting place and the graves of many of Exeter’s famous and infamous revolutionary residents, hear their stories, and learn about this historic cemetery.
All ticket prices include a free pass to visit the museum in 2021.
A day just for homeschoolers! History comes alive as students travel to the 18th century to learn about daily life in the colonies. Possible activities include:
Notes:
The site of many American Independence Museum programs, Folsom Tavern (c. 1775) will undergo a transformation in 2020 with the creation of the Foy Family Children’s Library.
Featuring curated books, seating for children, activity table and more, the Foy Family Children’s Library is made possible by a gift from Jeff and Melissa Foy of East Kingston.
According to Jeff Foy, who has supported the museum for years as co-owner of Foy Insurance, the gift ensures “there will be a permanent place for kids at the museum.”
“My wife Melissa was an elementary school librarian before retiring and I have always loved history, so we saw a chance to combine both our passions and make a lasting impact here,” he said. “We are thrilled to be part of the museum and this project.”
In addition to a dedicated space for a children’s library, the gift will enable the museum to upgrade its entire Children’s Room, which will include high-quality games, clothes, toys and more.
“This library and space is part of a larger initiative to transform our campus into an inviting space for local community members and visitors to Exeter,” said Emma Stratton, museum Executive Director. “We are very thankful for this gift.”
Noting work will begin sometime in February or March, the Foy Family Children’s Library is expected to be complete and open for the start of the American Independence Museum’s 2020 season on May 1.
Home to a world-class collection of 3,000 historic artifacts, the museum welcomes more than 5,000 visitors annually and distinguishes itself with educational school programs and events that make history fun and relevant.
The site of many American Independence Museum programs, Folsom Tavern (c. 1775) will undergo a transformation in 2020 with the creation of the Foy Family Children’s Library.
Featuring curated books, seating for children, activity table and more, the Foy Family Children’s Library is made possible by a gift from Jeff and Melissa Foy of East Kingston.
According to Jeff Foy, who has supported the museum for years as co-owner of Foy Insurance, the gift ensures “there will be a permanent place for kids at the museum.”
“My wife Melissa was an elementary school librarian before retiring and I have always loved history, so we saw a chance to combine both our passions and make a lasting impact here,” he said. “We are thrilled to be part of the museum and this project.”
In addition to a dedicated space for a children’s library, the gift will enable the museum to upgrade its entire Children’s Room, which will include high-quality games, clothes, toys and more.
“This library and space is part of a larger initiative to transform our campus into an inviting space for local community members and visitors to Exeter,” said Emma Stratton, museum Executive Director. “We are very thankful for this gift.”
Noting work will begin sometime in February or March, the Foy Family Children’s Library is expected to be complete and open for the start of the American Independence Museum’s 2020 season on May 1.
About the American Independence Museum
The American Independence Museum is a history museum in Exeter, NH that features a collection of 3,000 historic artifacts that shed light on the American Revolution. Many of our programs touch on civics and the fight for independence, while we incorporate inclusivity and diversity into the experiences we create on-site and in digital formats. We feature a variety of things to do for people of all ages, including festivals, an historic tavern, guided tours and our annual American Independence Festival.
Presented by Donahue Tucker & Ciandella, the next Beer for History takes place on Thursday, Thursday 24 with Sea Dog Brewing the featured brewer.
Supplying food for each of the Series’ five events, Sea Dog Brewing is expected to bring three beers, each of which are only available hyper-locally. Exeter River Red is an Irish Red Ale in which the grain bill has been enhanced to give it greater complexity; Newington Abbey Ale, a traditional Belgium Trappist Abbey Ale; and Merrimac Valley Cream Ale is a lighter smoother beer that utilized corn in addition to barley to give it a more creamy quality.
In addition to craft brew and beer, the event will feature live colonial-inspired music and entertainment. Each event in the Series take place in historic Folsom Tavern (1775), which is one of two structures on the property of the American Independence Museum, which organizes it.
“This is a chance to have a beer where George Washington had one in 1789,” said Series Organizer Victoria Su. “It’s festive, fun and family-friendly.”
Other events in the Series include Tilton Brothers Brewing (11/7) and Bad Lab Beer Co. (11/21).
“The series is even more enjoyable because it features brewers deeply invested in the community,” added Su. “By supporting us and them, you support Exeter and surrounding towns while having a great night out.”
Proceeds from the event support educational programming and care of the museum’s collection, which includes two working drafts of the US Constitution and an original copy of the Declaration of Independence.
Tickets for each Beer for History event are $15 for members and $20 for non-members, while youth (under 21) are $3. Ticket prices include beer (21+), entertainment and light snacks. $10 designated driver tickets are also available.
To purchase tickets, or learn more about Beer for History, visit independencemuseum.org.
About the American Independence Museum
The American Independence Museum is a history museum in Exeter, NH that features a collection of 3,000 historic artifacts that shed light on the American Revolution. Many of our programs touch on civics and the fight for independence, while we incorporate inclusivity and diversity into the experiences we create on-site and in digital formats. We feature a variety of things to do for people of all ages, including festivals, an historic tavern, guided tours and our annual American Independence Festival.
On Wednesday, October 23 at the first of two workshops in the American Independence Museum’s Huzzah Family Workshop Series, presented by Harman Law Offices, participants will create an historically accurate colonial salad.
In addition to making a salad, participants will also learn about urban foraging today from Leslie Stevens, a UNHCE Master Gardener, Natural Resources Steward, and owner of Sturgeon Creek Farm in Eliot, Maine. Currently on the boards of Seacoast Permaculture and Seacoast Eat Local, Stevens has taught children and their families to grow food for more than 10 years.
“This is a chance to discover how America’s early colonists used a variety of grown and harvested greens, including herbs and flowers, to create delicious salads,” said museum Executive Director Emma Stratton. “We feel this will be very popular with people of all ages.”
Advanced registration is encouraged, while participants may also elect to upgrade and pre-buy dinner prepared by Laney & Lu, or bring their own picnic to enjoy.
“This workshop is all about local food, so we are so thankful to have Laney & Lu join us,” added Stratton.
At the second workshop of the Series, families will make colonial cole slaw, which would have been made with vinegar, and discover various methods of food preservation for the winter months.
To register for Huzzah! Family Workshop: Colonial Salad, which takes place in the museum’s Folsom Tavern from 5 p.m. to 7p.m. on Wednesday, October 23, visit independencemuseum.org.
About the American Independence Museum
The American Independence Museum is a history museum in Exeter, NH that features a collection of 3,000 historic artifacts that shed light on the American Revolution. Many of our programs touch on civics and the fight for independence, while we incorporate inclusivity and diversity into the experiences we create on-site and in digital formats. We feature a variety of things to do for people of all ages, including festivals, an historic tavern, guided tours and our annual American Independence Festival.